2016 Ford Taurus Overview

Grossly underappreciated, the Ford Taurus is a roomy, comfortable, and safe full-size car equipped with a huge 20.1 cu.-ft. trunk. Oh, and here’s a fun fact: the Ford Explorer and Ford Flex share the Taurus’s stout platform, along with the Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT.

Ford sells its full-size family sedan in SE, SEL, Limited, and SHO (Super High Output) trim levels. If you’re interested in learning about the Taurus SHO, please see our separate report.

A 288-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 engine is standard equipment, driving the front wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is optional, or Taurus buyers can skip AWD and get a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, which bumps fuel economy from 23 mpg in combined driving to 26 mpg. The 4-cylinder makes 240 horsepower, 48 ponies less than the V6 engine, but torque measures 270 lb.-ft. at 3,000 rpm, a gain over the V6 engine’s 254 lb.-ft. at 4,000 rpm.

Limited trim includes perforated leather upholstery, 10-way power adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, Ice Blue interior and ambient cabin lighting, simulated wood trim, a power tilt/telescopic steering wheel with wood and leather trim, power adjustable pedals, and memory for the driver’s preferred settings. Ford’s new Sync 3 infotainment technology is standard in the Taurus Limited, along with keyless entry with push-button engine starting, a universal garage door opener, and a cargo net for the trunk. The Limited model also features unique grille and side vent trim, stylish metal doorsill plates, rear parking assist sensors, and attractive 19-inch aluminum wheels.

Every 2016 Taurus comes with a reversing camera and MyKey programmable vehicle settings, including several that are useful when teenaged drivers are in the household. They include speed warnings and limits, stereo volume limits, and seat belt use warnings. Using MyKey, parents can even program the stereo to mute itself if all occupants are not buckled up.

Versions of the car that have Sync Bluetooth connectivity provide 911 Assist service, which can automatically dial out to emergency responders following an accident. This service is free, but requires a smartphone to be paired with Sync and aboard the vehicle at the time of the collision.

Optional safety features for the 2016 Taurus include a blind spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert, a lane departure warning and lane keeping assist system, and an adaptive cruise control system with forward collision warning and brake support. Brake support is not an automatic emergency braking system, as it requires action by the driver in order to work.

Though the Taurus is an older design, it earns 5-star ratings in every single crash test performed by the federal government. In tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Taurus receives “Good” ratings, but the car hasn’t been tested for performance in the difficult small overlap frontal impact assessment.

One thing lots of people don’t know about the Taurus is that it is available with multi-contour massaging front seats. An affordable option, these seats make this car exceptionally comfortable on long road trips. Additionally, an Active Park Assist system can autonomously steer the Taurus into a parallel parking space while the driver operates the pedals and transmission.

Alternatives to the Ford Taurus

Despite its advancing age, the Taurus remains a viable choice if what you want if a big, comfy, safe, and technologically sophisticated automobile. Alternatives to the Taurus include the Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Hyundai Azera, Kia Cadenza, and Toyota Avalon.

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